Holiday Highlights

See the breathtaking Plitviče Lakes, a UNESCO-listed site and truly unmissable sight

Experience the stunning Istrian peninsula with its sun-kissed, vineyardclad hills and an undeniable Venetian influence left by past rulers

Enjoy a guided tour of Pula, a remarkably preserved Istrian town with an astonishing Roman amphitheatre

Discover the spectacular island of Krk, visit its ancient town and enjoy a wine tasting in Vrbnik

Discover the Zagorje region and its most charming towns: Marija Bistrica, home to Croatia’s most important pilgrimage site; and elegantly Baroque Varaždin

Explore Rovinj, perhaps the most beautiful fishing harbour in the Adriatic

Return flights from the UK, plus all hotel transfers

Seven nights in four-star accommodation inclusive of all local taxes, plus breakfast and five dinners

The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

Selected departures from May to October 2019

What's Included

The price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at an additional supplement of £165 per person. The price includes return flights, airport departure taxes, seven night’s accommodation with breakfast and all local taxes and five dinners at hotels as mentioned , all touring as mentioned, all transport, guided tours of Zagreb, Pula and Poreč , entrance to Euphrsian Basilica. Visit to the Plitvice lakes including boat trip. Visit to the Islands of Cres and Krk and the services of a Riviera Travel tour manager.

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to either Zagreb or Pula airport, and transfer to the four star Superior Sheraton hotel, where we stay for three nights. Dinner is included on the first night at your hotel.

Day 2

This morning we have a walking tour of Zagreb’s historic centre. We see the capital city’s different architectural styles. The ancient mansions and quiet squares are peppered throughout the Upper Town, while elegant monuments to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and manicured parks dominate the lower half. We see the stunning cathedral on Kaptol, guarded by medieval fortress walls.
Then we see the Dolac open-air market, the ‘belly of Zagreb’, where we find colourful traditional stalls selling fresh produce and local specialities. Curving uphill is Tkalčićeva, one of the city’s most attractive streets, with steep-roofed mansions that house boutiques, art galleries and cafés.
We pass the shrine to the VirginMary, one of the most significant pilgrimage site in Zagreb, and emerge in St Mark’s Square, site of the grand Parliament Building and the iconic church with its multi-coloured roof tiles representing the city’s coat of arms. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 3

This morning, we drive through the Zagorje region, an oasis of unspoilt beauty. The forested hills here are a beautiful patchwork of attractive villages, medieval castles and lush vineyards. Almost every hillock appears to be crowned by a klet or small, steep-roofed cottage.
Our first stop is the attractive town of Marija Bistrica, home to Croatia’s largest and most important pilgrimage site, the neo- renaissance Church of St Mary, which completely dominates the town centre. The highlight of the church is its wooden Black Madonna statue, whose alleged miraculous power dates to the 16th century when the statue was spared destruction caused by Turkish invasions!
We head further north to Varaždin, one of the best preserved Baroque towns in Central Europe and once a significant stronghold for the Habsburgs – Croatians even call it ‘Little Vienna’. The town’s opulent architecture features a myriad of angelic figures, giving Varaždin the apt nickname, ‘city of angels’.

Day 4

Today we bid farewell to Zagreb and pass some picturesque villages which, upon closer inspection, reveal a more turbulent time: bullet holes left in the walls of houses are a reminder of the civil war. We journey through Slunj, situated at the confluence of two rivers where waters rush into a gorge through mini waterfalls and bubbling rapids.
Before long, we enter a stunning wonderland of forested hills surrounding the famed, UNESCO-listed Plitviče Lakes. Linked by cascading waterfalls, the lakes are the most pristine you’re likely to see: the colours vary from azure, turquoise and bright green to grey. After a walk to the shore of the lake, we take a boat ride out for some spectacular views. Should you prefer, you can take the panoramic train ride around the lakes or follow the wooden footpaths at your own pace.
We then depart for the Istrian peninsula and the harbour town of Ičići, where we stay for four nights with dinner at the four-star Remisens Hotel Giorgio II, set in the foothills of the Učka overlooking the Adriatic.

Day 5

From the early 13th-century to the late 18th-century, Istria’s coastal towns came under Venetian rule, and today we visit several of the most intriguing. We begin in Pula, where we enjoy a walking tour with a local guide. Once a vibrant Roman outpost, Pula, also known as ancient Polensium, is replete with astonishingly preserved ruins including the incredible Roman amphitheatre, imperial Rome’s greatest gift to the eastern Adriatic. Dominating the city centre, the imposing, 1st-century structure doubles as an atmospheric concert venue. Speckled along the coast are fragrant pine groves, seaside cafés and excellent restaurants. Irish novelist James Joyce once taught English to naval officers in Pula in the early 20th century.
We then head to Rovinj, possibly Istria’s most picturesque fishing harbour, with free time to explore as you wish. Set on an oval peninsula, the charming Old Town has managed to preserve its character better than anywhere else along the western coast. Lose yourself in the web of medieval lanes and cobbled piazzas, with the splendid church as a guide to help you get your bearings. Amble along the harbour and observe the colourful Venetian-era buildings close to the water’s edge, before pausing for lunch in one of the waterside cafés. Later in the afternoon we return to the hotel.

Day 6

The entire day is at leisure, so there’s plenty of time to relax in your hotel or enjoy idyllic Ičići. Part of the stunning Opatija Riviera, this was once the holiday destination of the elite. If you wish to wander further, the coastal town of Opatija is a short distance away by bus or even boat.

Day 7

Croatia is blessed with more than a thousand islands, and today we explore Krk, one of the largest islands in the stunning Bay of Kvarner. As we cross the 4,690-foot-long bridge, the view to the horizon transforms from the glittering Adriatic to a rocky sea of limestone covered in patches of sub-Mediterranean foliage and pine forests. Blessed with an abundance of natural and cultural beauty, Krk was named the ‘golden island’ during ancient times. We call at the island’s eponymous walled town for a guided tour. One of the oldest towns in the Adriatic, Krk has been inhabited for more than 2,000 years, even before the arrival of the Romans. As we wander the narrow streets, our guide brings to life the maze of ancient buildings we see, such as the 5th-century Krk Cathedral, which is part of a larger complex of church buildings featuring different architectural styles. Another highlight is the 12th-century castle by the sea, built by the Frankopan family, one of Croatia’s leading aristocratic families. With wonderful views over the bay, the castle is today an atmospheric, open-air venue for summer concerts.
There is free time to explore at your own pace and try the local cuisine. It is said that people living on Krk island live longer than their mainland counterparts. Perhaps one of the reasons is the healthy food made with fresh ingredients, from homemade olive oils and locally grown herbs to freshly caught fish.
Later this afternoon we drive across the island through lush vineyards and rolling hills to Vrbnik, a pretty village set on a rocky hill overlooking the sea. Vrbnik is well-known to Croatians for its wealth of monuments in Glagolitic, the oldest known Slavic alphabet, but today it is perhaps better known for its dry white wine, Žlahtina, which has a lovely pale golden colour. We stop at a local winery for a delightful tasting of Vrbnik’s excellent wines, paired with delicious homemade cheese and prosciutto, before returning to the hotel.

Day 8

Transfer to the airport for your return flight.

4* superior Sheraton Zagreb

The four-star superior Sheraton Zagreb is centrally located with a tram stop just in front of the hotel and the city’s main sights are a short stroll away. The elegant hotel has comfortably...

4* Remisens Hotel Giorgio II

The four-star Remisens Hotel Giorgio II is set in a quiet, green location above the Lungomare coastal promenade, overlooking the Bay of Kvarner. Guests have access to the hotel’s private beach and...